Twilight The Musical

New Moon: The Musical: Nice ode-to-MJ at the end!

Twilight High School Musical: You can “Bet on It” not making the Main Stem any time soon. bada bum

And finally, we’ve got TWILIGHT: the musical: A multi-part musical parody extravaganza. You know, just in case you really haven’t gotten your fill.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Blake

Friday, November 20
GO→ Tony Award winning star and Playbill buddy Brian Stokes Mitchell visits Barnes & Nobel today to celebrate the release of a new young adults book he contributed to entitled Lights on Broadway: A Theatrical Tour of Broadway from A to Z. The book features words of wisdom from Stokes and some of his Broadway buddies like Chita Rivera, Cheyenne Jackson and Patti LuPone as well as a CD with a special ode-to-Broadway courtesy of Stokes and Steven Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. (5pm, Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway, near 66th Street, to purchase the book click here, portion of the proceeds go to The Actors Fund)

GO→ Songstress Ann Hampton Callaway and the Camp Broadway Kids join The New York Pops for an evening of Johnny Mercer classics in honor of what would be the late composer’s 100th birthday. (8pm, Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th, at 7th Avenue, tickets are $33-$104, call 212-247-7800 or click here)

Saturday, November 21
GO→ Legendary Oscar winning composer Michel Legrand makes a rare visit to New York in a special one-night-only performance alongside Dionne Warwick. Legrand is perhaps best known for his long-time collaboration with Marilyn and Alan Bergman on songs like “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?” and “The Windmills of Your Mind”. His songs have been performed by some of the best voices in the world, including Barbra Streisand, for whom he penned the Oscar winning score of Yentl. (8pm, Avery Fisher Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Columbus Avenue at 65th St., tickets)

Sunday, November 22
BEFORE IT CLOSES → The Off-Broadway show Broke-ology, will close this Sunday. Written by young up-and-coming playwright Nathan Lewis Jackson, Broke-ology tells the poignant story of the King family led by an ill father who must now rely on his sons to take care of him. (Mitzi E, Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center, 150 W. 65th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave., info/tickets)

Monday, November 23
OPENING→ Fela!, the new Broadway show about the life and music of Nigerian Afro-Funk pioneer Fela Kuti opens this Monday transforming the O’Neill into the musician’s own Shrine Club. Director/Choreographer and co-conceiver, Tony winner Bill T. Jones, has created a masterpiece with this one and I have no doubt this show (with the help of producers Jay-Z and Will and Jada Smith) will help solidify Kuti’s legacy for decades to come. (Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 West 49th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenues, for Playbill Club discount tickets, click here, more information visit www.felaonbroadway.com)

LISTEN→ American Idol’s Adam Lambert’s first solo album, For Your Entertainment, hits this Monday. Click here to listen to some tracks.

GO→Rosie’s Broadway Kids will honor Queen Latifah in a one-night-only benefit performance featuring Nikki Blonsky, Gavin Creel, Montego Glover, Norm Lewis and Melinda Doolittle. (7:30pm, The Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway at 47th Street, tickets)

Tuesday, November 24
GO→ The Tony Award winning revival of South Pacific sets up shop in Chicago this Tuesday. (Through November 29, the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road
Rosemont, Illinois 60018, tickets/info)

Wednesday, November 25
GO→ The pop musical the Marvelous Wonderettes celebrates its 500th show this Wednesday. This “cotton-candy colored musical blast from the past” features tunes from the ‘50s and ‘60s including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” “It’s My Party,” and “It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)”. (Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues, info/tickets)

Thursday, November 26
WATCH→ For the first time in 83 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take a detour off of Broadway and on to 7th Avenue—but that doesn’t mean Broadway will be absent from the festivities. Some of the Great White Way’s greatest will be on hand including (on CBS) Reba McEntire and the casts of West Side Story and Dreamgirls; (on NBC) Alan Cumming, Cyndi Lauper, Jane Krakowski with performances by the casts of Bye Bye Birdie, Hair, Billy Elliot and Shrek. (For parade info, click here)

GO→ The show must go on—even during the holidays. Check out Playbill.com’s Thanksgiving week calendar for a schedule of Broadway performances for the holiday week.

This WEEK AHEAD boasts some big Broadway openings– a Tony winning revival and to a new play with a none-too-subtle title. There’s also some grooving with your tots… Savion Glover…and a changing of the guards at God of Carnage.

Happy Hunting!
Blake

Friday, November 13
VISIT → You have until 8pmET tonight to bid on some 30 groovy Broadway items like a Hugh Jackman experience at A Steady Rain, a backstage tour and 4 seats to Shrek, tickets to The Daily Show, a getaway to the Standard Hotel and more! Proceeds go to Only Make Believe, a non-profit that brings the healing power of theatre to chronically ill kids. Click here to bid.

GO→ The description for a new Christmas show opening today reads as follows: “It’s time for the annual holiday production for a struggling gay theatre company in West Hollywood. Jim, the pot-smoking straight tech guy, offends M&M, the eclectic playwright, causing him to walk out and take his script with him. Now the crazy and drama-addicted team has just a few weeks to produce the ‘gayest Christmas pageant ever.’” (and here’s where we get the title of the show!)  Drama-addicted, you say? In a theatre company? With a playwright named M&M?  And a pageant?! Sounds about right.  Best. Name. Ever.=The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever! (through January 3, The Actors’ Playhouse, 100 Seventh Avenue South, At Grove St.,  tickets)

Saturday, November 14
GO→ Saturday is a day of dance at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Masters from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform, as well as teach in various sessions throughout the day. Sign-up is encouraged and begins one hour before each event at the Visitor’s Information Desk. Click here for a full schedule of events. (Starts at 2pm, The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway)

Sunday, November 15
OPENING→ Following a much buzzed-about run at the Kennedy Center in DC, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens’ Tony Award winning musical Ragtime returns to Broadway this Sunday. (Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenues, tickets)

GO→ The Award-winning playwright, Sir Alan Ayckbourn makes a Stateside appearance this Sunday.  Ayckbourn will discuss, with moderator Howard Sherman from the American Theatre Wing, his long and esteemed career including his newest play My Wonderful Day, which Ayckbourn is also directing. (12:30pm, 59E59 Theatre at 59 East 59th Street, call (212) 279-4200 for tickets)

Monday, November 16
GO→ Broadway Unplugged returns to Town Hall for its sixth year featuring some unique performances—unplugged and unparalleled. This year’s Unplugged roster includes 15+ stellar acts including Marc Kudisch (9 to 5) and Daniel Reichard (Jersey Boys). (8pm, The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, info).

Tuesday, November 17
GO→ The Tony Award winning play God of Carnage welcomes a new cast this Tuesday. Christine Lahti (“Chicago Hope”) and Annie Potts (“Designing Women”) step in as ‘Veronica” and‘Annette;’ Jimmy Smits (“The West Wing”) and Ken Stott (original cast member of the West End production of God of Carnage) take over as ‘Alan’ and ‘Michael’. (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 West 45th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenues, tickets)

Wednesday, November 18
GO→ Savion Glover, brings his unparalleled dancing mastery to the intimate Blue Note Jazz Club for a series of performances that pair him with jazz greats McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Eddie Palmieri and Jack Dejohnette (separate evenings). (8pm & 10:30pm, Through November 22, The Blue Note, 131 West 3rd Street, between 6th Avenue and MacDougal Street, tickets)

GO→ The 92nd Street Y will host a one-night only tribute to Johnny Mercer, who would have turned 100 years old this Wednesday.  Billy Stritch, Barbara Carroll, KT Sullivan, Julie Wilson, Lucie Arnaz and others will perform. (8pm, 92nd street Y, at Lexington, tickets)

Thursday, November 19
GO→ The play with the quirky name In the Next Room or the vibrator play opens this Thursday on Broadway starring Tony winner, Laura Benanti. This comedy, set in the 19th century, isn’t exactly what you think. It clearly doesn’t take itself too seriously (see title!), but it also has its poignant moments as it explores the evolution of women’s sexuality. (Lyceum Theatre box office, 149 West 45th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, tickets)

Round 1: Feinstein takes a right hander to Edna with the snarky remark, “I wish Ms. Edna well. I’ve heard of her.”

Round 2: Edna fights back with a similarly vitriolic slap, “While I was saddened to hear that Mr. Feinstein did not heed my sage advice to change the title of his show, I’m overjoyed to hear that he at least took my suggestion to open his show after mine. I’m sure Mrs. Feinstein is very proud of her son.”

Oh, snap!

Of course, as many have speculated (referencing a Michael Riedel piece from July mentioning the buzz over the two actually taking the stage together), this is probably a PR stunt leading up to some kind of grand announcement. Nevertheless, it’s been fun watching the wild speculation and suggestions on how to make these two kiss and makeup.  One particularly funny post from TONY’s Adam Feldman suggests some other Broadway projects follow suit with mash-ups of their own.  My personal favorite was a Star Wars-themed Yoda show entitled About Me It’s All.  Genius.

If these two can ever bury the hatchet, perhaps some of these classic duets should be on the song list!

Anything you can do…

A question I’m sure Michael Feinstein is asking himself this very minute: Why Can’t A Woman Be More Like a Man?

And if these two kiss and makeup?!  The perfect show stopper!

The evening started off with an appropriately adapted version of the Prologue from Into the Woods with Broadway Barks co-founder, Mary Tyler Moore, as the narrator: “Once upon a time…in Queens”, she began, referencing Bernadette’s hometown.  Bernadette reprised her role as the Witch while simultaneously playing the Baker for “Greens, Greens”.  She then burst into an impromptu version of the The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song (equipped with the classic toss of the hat by Moore).

The lady of the evening was in rare form, wowing the packed house, which included the likes of Hugh Jackman, Joel Grey, Barbara Walters, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents.  Her stunning Botticelli-esque frame swirled around the stage in her signature Bob Mackie glittery gowns, one adorned with 15,000 Swarovski crystals. (“I’ve got 1,000 more in a bag backstage just in case something goes wrong”, she quipped.)

She sang the classics like “Being Alive”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Nothin’ Like a Dame”, “Not a Days Goes By”, “No One is Alone” and “Johanna”.  As promised, she also tackled new material. (“Sometimes I hear a song and it sticks in my head yelling at me ‘Sing me! Sing me!’” she explained of her new song choices).  New tunes included “In Buddy’s Eyes” and “Losing My Mind” from Follies, “Fever”, “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” sung for the dozen dogs that joined her on stage, all rescues from the Humane Society of New York, a Broadway Barks partner.

She closed the evening with a recreation of two Tony-nominated performances.  First, she adopted a shawl and blanket for a rendition of “Children and Art” from Sunday in the Park with George.   She then stepped back into the role of Momma Rose, with the addition of heavy black shoes and a dark cardigan, for a rendition of “Rose’s Turn” that had everyone at their feet the moment she let out that last, exasperated, “For me!”

Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening came during the encore, with a sweet rendition of“Kramer’s Song”, a lullaby she penned for her rescued pooch, Kramer, who made a guest starring appearance.

Congratulations are in order to the whole team at BC/EFA who once again pulled out all the stops for this unforgettable evening.  The event helped raise $615,000 for the two organizations. For information about Broadway Barks and adopting your own rescue, visit www.broadwaybarks.com.

This is your Week Ahead,
Blake

Friday, November 6
SEE→ Disney’s A Christmas Carol based on the classic Charles Dickens tale, will get a 3D makeover this weekend! The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Jim Carrey.

Saturday, November 7
GO→ An iconic show moves to a legendary home this Saturday when Dreamgirls starts previews at the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The show will run uptown for four weeks before hitting the road on a national tour. (Through December 6, Apollo Theatre, 253 W. 125th Street, at 7th Avenue, www.dreamgirlsonstage.com)

Sunday, November 8
GO→ The smash-hit play A Steady Rain, starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, will add an extra show to their schedule this week with a benefit performance for The Actors Fund. (7pm, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th Street, email tickets@actorsfund.org or call 212.221.7300 ext. 133)

GO (FREE)→ Last seasons Off-Broadway gem The Temperamentals, (set to return in February to New World Stages), made its debut last December at TBG’s Reading Series. Hoping to strike gold yet again, The Temperamentals team Jon Marans (author) and Jonathan Silverstein (director) will come together for a free reading of their newest collaboration,  A Strange and Separate People, this Sunday. (7pm, The Garrett Studio, 312 West 36th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, info)

Peters performed last month at Playbill's 125th Anniversary party

Monday, November 9
GO→ Two-time Tony Award winner, Bernadette Peters, will return to the Broadway stage for a one-night-only benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Barks. Mary Tyler Moore is set to narrate. Peters told NY1’s Frank DiLella she’ll take on some Sondheim material she’s never performed before including “In Buddy’s Eyes” from Follies. She’ll also have a few four-legged guests joining her on stage (13 of them to be exact!), including her own pooch, Kramer. (8pm, Minskoff Theatre, 200 W 45th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, tickets)

GO→ Alan Alda, Regis Philbin, Lorraine Bracco, Chita Rivera, Jerry Stiller and others will celebrate the life and love of the late Jerry Orbach with a reading of the actor’s posthumous memoir, Remember How I Love You.  The book recounts his 30-year marriage with wife Elaine told through a collection of love letters. (5:30pm, The Snapple Theatre Center, 210 West 50th Street, 4th fl., Advance premium tickets are $50. 100 free tickets will be distributed at the box office beginning at 10am on the day of the event-max of two tickets per person allowed. For further information, call 212-921-7862)

Tuesday, November 10
GO→ Feeling Superior? Like Donuts? Then head over to the Music Box on Tuesday for a special “superior” night of Superior Donuts. The company has invited employees from “superior” companies (like Superior Technology Solutions, Superior Officers Council Health and Superior Leather Restorers) as well as employees of donut shops from around the tri-state area to attend the show and meet the cast. Super! (Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th Street, tickets)

Thursday, November 12
WATCH→ Two theatre stars become TV Land-bound this Thursday night. First, on ABC, Oscar/Tony/Golden Globe winner, Joel Grey, will guest star on Grey’s Anatomy as an old high school teacher of Katherine Heigl’s character, Izzie Stevens. Over at NBC, Finian’s Rainbow star Cheyenne Jackson will guest star on NBC’s 30 Rock as a new TGS cast member, Danny/Jack Baker. (30 Rock airs on NBC at 9:30/8:30c, Grey’s Anatomy airs on ABC 9/8c)

Tickets for these final performances are on-sale at Ticketmaster.com, keyword “Bette Midler” or  by calling 1-877-7BETTEM (723-8836).

Many of us credit Sesame Street with helping us to learn the alphabet, or how to count, or how to share (sharing is caring after all). But perhaps most importantly, Sesame Street instilled the love of music into millions of kids around the world. Without Sesame Street, who knows what great musicals would never have been written!

For your Webway Wednesday viewing pleasure: some classic Sesame Street songs.  Take a few minutes to relive your childhood.

“C is for Cookies”: The ultimate please-can-I-have-a-cookie-MOM? song.

“Rubber Duckey”: Would any kid have ever agreed to take a bath without this song?

“It’s Not Easy Being Green”: Still the ultimate ode to loving yourself just the way you are.

And so, off Mr. Miranda went…to perform for the President.  The selection? A rap about the life of one of the country’s Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton– a man who, as Lin explained to the audience: “embodies hip hop.”

An apropos selection, but certainly not a conventional one.   What in the world do these two things have in common?  “He embodies the word’s ability to make a difference, ” Lin explained.

Few know the true power of the spoken word better than Lin.  Broadway witnessed this in In The Heights, a show that has been praised for its inspiring score and spectacular performances.  It’s received equal note for its ability to educate and enlighten the public about an area of New York and a culture that before, may have gotten a bad rap (pun intended).

Perhaps it’s the former teacher in him that gives him the drive to create art that informs as well as entertains.  First it was about the life and people of Washington Heights and now, it’s American history.

The White House shared the special performance on their official YouTube channel. Check out the footage below.  Who knows?  Maybe you’ll learn something.

Witches and Ozzy and Ghosts, oh my!
Blake

Friday, October 30
GO→ Wicked celebrates six years of defying gravity (and a recession) with a series of events that prove this tuner is still on top of its game. The cast will perform today at Barnes & Nobel in Lincoln Square and sign copies of their new pop-up book. For info on other “Wicked Day” events, visit www.WickedDay.com.

GO→ The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts conclude tonight at Madison Square Garden with a star-studded line-up including Aretha Franklin, Annie Lennox, Lou Reed, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, U2, Lenny Kravitz and the Jeff Beck Band (7:30pm, MSG, tickets)

Saturday, October 31
GO→ Want to do Halloween Broadway-style? (As if dressing up in costume wasn’t “Broadway” enough.) Take the “Haunted Broadway” walking tour on Halloween night and search for the ghosts of Marquees past. (8:30pm, meet at Shubert Alley, 44-45th streets between Broadway and Eighth Avenues, info/tickets)

GO→ Toxic Avenger closes out their “Halloweek” with a big (slimy) bang this Saturday. Dress up as your favorite ghoul and party at the New World Stages/Time Out New York lounge before the show. Come in costume (or be Canadian) and get a special prize. In honor of the show’s Toronto launch, all Canucks will get a “toxic treat”. Happy Halloween indeed, aye?!     (TA’s “Halloweek” party is from 6-7pm, New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, info)

Sunday, November 1
SUPPORT→ Broadway’s Kate Shindle will be among the 40,000 people running in this year’s New York City Marathon. Shindle is running in support of Broadway Impact and the ongoing fight for marriage equality in this country. Celebrities are often drawn to the NYC Marathon, especially when it involves running for a great cause. Other do-good celebs-in-training include Edward Norton and Alanis Morissette, both supporting the Maasi Wilderness Conservation Trust. (To support Shindle’s charity marathon run, visit runshindlerun)

Monday, November 2
GO (FREE)→ The New York Post’s theatre columnist, Michael Riedel, will host a tribute to the late Clive Barnes, former theatre and dance critic for the New York Times and later the Post, who died last year after a battle with cancer. Edward Albee, John Simon, Anna Kisselgoff, Alastair Macaulay and others will join Riedel to discuss the life and work of a true gentleman of New York theatre. (3pm, Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Center, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, near 65th and Amsterdam)

GO→ Meryl Streep will join her friend Kevin Kline in a performance of Shakespearean works (conceived by Kline) for a benefit for The Acting Company. The Acting Company, celebrating its 37th season, boasts an impressive alumni roster that includes Patti LuPone, Rainn Wilson and Jesse L. Martin. (7pm, Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, call 212.307.4100 for tickets and for tickets+dinner with the cast, call 212.258.3111)

Tuesday, November 3
LISTEN→ “Gleeks” everywhere will be thrilled to know that now you don’t have to wait until Wednesday to get “Gleed”. Glee: The Music, Volume 1 will be available on amazon.com starting November 3rd. (info)

OPENING→ Tony and Oscar nominee, Lynn Redgrave, stars in Nightingale, a fictionalized memoir of her little-known maternal grandmother. Read all about Redgrave’s amazing career, her role in one of the greatest acting dynasties in theatre and her triumph over breast cancer, in a wonderful interview conducted by Playbill’s Mervyn Rothstein in the November issue. (NY City Center, 131 W. 55th Street, tickets)

Wednesday, November 4
GO→ Have you ever found yourselves flipping through the pages of the latest weekly tabloid (come on, you know you do it), and think to yourself—“Britney’s off the wagon again? Jon is stealing from Kate? Levi Johnson is going to show his you-know-what where?! Boy, this would make a fascinating night of theatre!” Well, Celebrity Autobiography has just read your mind! Enjoy a night of lifestyles of the rich and famous read by some of New York City’s funny and famous, including Scott Adsit, Craig Bierko, Rachel Dratch, Carol Kane, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, Steve Schirripa, Sherri Shepherd, Michael Urie and Alan Zweibel. (7:30pm, Carolines on Broadway, 1626 Broadway, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, tickets)

Thursday, November 5
GO (FREE)→ Vanessa Redgrave, Marian Seldes, Olympia Dukakis, John Patrick Shanley, Eli Wallach, Ann Jackson and others come together this Thursday to celebrate the life and work of the late Tennessee Williams. Thursday’s tribute will be followed by an unveiling of a commemorative stone at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Nov. 8 which will mark the induction of Williams into the Cathedral’s esteemed Poets’ Corner (7pm, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue and 112th Street, information call 212.316.7540 or click here)